This much I know: Georgia Salpa

Saturday, December 10, 2011

By Hilary Fennell

My top beauty tip is to drink lots of water. It might sound lame but it works.

My advice for any aspiring models out there is not to pay for any expensive photo shoots before you have been signed up. When you are starting out, the best thing is to just go to an agency first with no make-up on and if they decide to take you on, they will pay for everything that needs to be done.

I was born in Greece but we moved to Dublin when I was five. I’m the eldest, with two sisters and one brother. My mum is a bit of a hero of mine, besides bringing up four kids, she finds time to paint. My dad’s in Greece and I actually spent a year there doing a bit of modelling recently.

I love food, especially Greek dishes and I’m also a big sushi fan. Although having said that, I rarely do any cooking myself. Luckily, I also enjoy exercise.

When I started out in secondary school I was a bit of a nerd. I was always very thin and had really curly afro hair and had to wear glasses and a patch over one eye.

I didn’t always know I’d get into modelling. I only really started full time two years ago. I got a big break doing a FAS campaign which helped to get me noticed. I have learnt to do it as I go along, it’s that type of job.

The media have been great to me in helping to build my career. If anything negative was to be said I wouldn’t get too upset, you have to take the good with the bad.

I suppose I do enjoy the attention I get and this has been a great year for me.

I’ve had so much fun and am enjoying being single.

When I left school, I went backpacking around the world for two years. We visited over 30 countries — India, Thailand, Costa Rica, Brazil, Australia and Hong Kong. It was an amazing experience and one I’d highly recommend to anyone who can do it.

I live in Dublin now but I’m back and forth to London a lot. I’m addicted to my phone and Twitter @Georgsalpa.

One of the reasons why I enjoy modelling in Ireland is that the scene isn’t too harsh — you don’t really see over-skinny models.

I’m not a big fan of shows like X Factor. I’d be worried for those kids who get instant fame as it can be dangerous and can really mess you up.

The biggest lesson I’ve learnt so far is that time goes by really quickly and that you have to make the most of every day.

I’m bringing out a line of dresses in the new year — along with my own range of eyelashes and nails.